Château de Pourtalès

Strasbourg, France

Château de Pourtalès is a château situated in the Robertsau district of Strasbourg. It was built around 1750 as a small manor house in the Robertsau neighborhood by Joseph Guérault, then contractor of the works of the king in charge of the construction of the fortifications of Strasbourg. In 1802, Baron Paul-Athanase Renouard de Bussierre, who was from a wealthy industrial family from Strasbourg, bought the house and expanded the manor into a gracious Château.

Between 1870 and 1914, the château was the residence of Comtesse Mélanie de Pourtalès and her husband, Count Edmond de Pourtalès (a son of the Swiss banker and art collector, Count James-Alexandre de Pourtalès). Comtesse Mélanie, a renowned French salonnière and Lady-in-waiting to Empress Eugénie, was the only surviving child of Baron Alfred Renouard de Bussière, head of the Royal Mint of Paris.

During the Franco-Prussian War of 1870, the château suffered fire damage. Prominent guests of the château included European aristocracy and members of the arts, including Albert Schweitzer, Franz Liszt, Napoléon III and his wife, the Empress Eugénie, the Princes of Belgium and Russia, Ludwig I of Bavaria, the Grand Duke of Baden and the Princess Metternich.

After Comtesse Mélanie's death in 1914, the château was inherited by her youngest daughter, Agnès de Pourtalès, who was married to Henri, Marquis de Löys-Chandieu (who had been engaged to Victoria Sackville-West before her marriage to Baron Sackville).

During World War I, it was occupied by the Germans, and later liberated by the Americans. The owners of the château in 1939 closed the property and during World War II, it was confiscated by the Germans and used to house high-ranking officers before it was occupied by Allied Forces for a short period following the war. After the War, it was the site an Eastern European University for a short time, but was closed again following the construction of the Berlin Wall.

In 1972, the nearly falling down château was bought by Dr. Walter Leibrecht, the founder of Schiller International University, to house students of the university. For more than 25 years, Schiller's students resided in the château.

In 2009, the Château de Pourtalès was converted to a hotel and has housed many Members of the European Parliament during the session.

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Details

Founded: c. 1750
Category: Castles and fortifications in France

Rating

4.5/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

Tara Meyer (7 months ago)
A beautiful hotel full of interesting history and art. We enjoyed our quick one night stay at the bar and salon, and surrounded by historical artifacts and interesting art. I would definitely stay here again, especially if I come with a dog. Lots of walking and cycling routes available from the front door. It was also helpful that even though there is no restaurant on site, but they provide a big list of nearby spots to enjoy. One note: the rooms were so hot at night, even with the heater off and windows open it was over 25C. Maybe they should regulate that better, also for environmental reasons.
Sara Middleton (9 months ago)
Stayed overnight. Helpful staff to accommodate me with my mobility on crutches. Bed was a little small but comfy and room was good with access to garden. Free tea and coffee and an honesty bar. Beautiful grounds. Good breakfast. Easy access into the city.
Coovie World (9 months ago)
This recommendable Tourist Hotel is surrounded by the 5 hectares natural castle park. There are no guest rooms in the castle itself but in 3 two-storey buildings called Cottages right next to it. The Reception and the breakfast room are in the castle wing and the front desk is very friendly and helpful. There is a courtyard with a pavilion and an area where you can find imperial seating, a Bar and complimentary tea and coffee making facilities. The approach leads through a tree-lined avenue, before you reach to the public car park. There is also a public Garden Restaurant (from 4 pm) which is also popular from outside visitors. The Hotel is ideal for exploring Strasbourg and offers a moderate price level. The rooms are spacious and clean although the grounds could use a bit more maintenance.
Art T (12 months ago)
The hotel is beautiful and set in a park. The is plenty of parking. The rooms are very nice as is the staff. The breakfast was exceptional. The hotel is a short drive to the Tram parking lot for visiting Strasbourg. Our only nit-picking is that the "shower" is ridiculous. The only time I've experienced anything like it was in a small private hotel in the center of Rome. There is no way to prevent water from escaping and wetting the bath floor. We are both fairly trim with me being 175 lbs and 6'2" and my wife 105 lbs and 5'6" so that's not the problem. It's just a poor shower design.
ashish maheshwari (12 months ago)
Amazingly beautiful hotel. We stayed there for 2 days and the hotel overall is amazing with countryside feel and quite relaxing. The staff is super friendly and helpful. I would highly recommend to stay here if you are planning a visit to Strasbourg. It has free parking available.
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